Hello Kitty returns!

I threw together a small mini book over the weekend...I got the inspiration from my favorite blog Dear Lizzy.

Here's a peek at a few pages...

The envelope contains a letter I wrote to myself to be opened at the end of the year.  This little project was sort of a new and creative way to celebrate the new year and to keep my resolutions handy and within reach throughout the year (and it also gave me the chance to use my new Bind-It-All :) LOL!

On a completely un-related and cute note, Avery re-discovered her Hello Kitty Halloween costume and has worn it for the past two days now... :)

She's a MESS! 

(the adorable tulle pouf was purchased at Practically Perfect Boutique here in town!)

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This is my One Little Word for 2012...

Head on over to the BPC website to learn more about this class taught by the super-talented Ali Edwards.

This is my first year participating in One Little Word so I'm really excited to share this with you and you don't even have to be a scrapbooker or crafter to take this class!  It's all about focusing, reflecting, and engaging yourself with One Little Word that you choose (or that chooses you!) for the whole year, with month-by-month prompts and inspiration.  I hope you'll check it out and join me on this new and fresh journey!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Favorite Quotes Mini Album

I have a board on Pinterest that holds all of my favorite quotes and sayings.  I got the idea from another blog, www.amytangerine.blogspot.com, to put them all in a mini album so I can keep them handy when I'm feeling the need for a little wisdom or pick-me-up...

 I took a 5x5 embossed mini album from Studio Calico and painted it aqua.  I applied a couple of coats of Mod Podge and then bound it together with some adhesive backed fabric.  

Here's a few of the quotes I included in my album...

I had over 30-something quotes on my pinboard, plus a few of my all time faves I've remembered over the years...I still have some pages left so I can add more as I go.  I kept the album super simple so it wouldn't get too chunky.  It was a bit of a challenge for me not to over embellish :)

This was another one of my "to-do" projects from last year so I'm really happy I got it done!  I just have to keep reminding myself, "one step at a time".  Oh look, another quote I can add to the book... :)

Christmas 2011 Album

A couple of months ago I signed up for a class via www.bigpictureclasses.com that was entititled the 12 Days of Christmas.  Needless to say, due to the fact that I had quite a bit going on last month (as we all did!), I didn't get to fully experience the class and I ran verrrrrry far behind.  I got frustrated and just decided I would make the best of it by finishing my album my own way :)

I started by painting my chipboard album (which I had on hand at home) with plain 'ol white acrylic paint (3 coats to be exact), inside and outside...

After the paint dried, I used Versamark Ink, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, and some Stampin' Up! stamps to emboss these beautiful doilies onto the front and sides of the album...

I also added a few embellishments to complete the front of my album...

Here are a few of my favorite pages from the album...

I finished it off with some gorgeous striped Stampin' Up! ribbon...

This is the earliest I've ever gotten my Christmas pictures scrapped so I guess I wasn't too far behind :)

On to the next project!

on my way

I'm on my way to getting these resolutions rollin'!  Today I tackled a small project that I've been thinking about doing since we started on Avery's play kitchen...making little placemats!  I found a great diy tutorial online at www.centsationalgirl.com :)

I grabbed some fabric that I had on hand at home...

Next, I pinned two different patterns of fabric together (wrong sides facing out) so the placemats would be reversible...

Then I sewed the two pieces of fabric together, trimmed and ironed the seam allowance, turned right side out, and topstitched around the entire placemat...

And voila!  A reversible placemat to match Avery's dishes she got for Christmas...

I made four placemats and all the fabric that was used was from Stampin' Up!.  The dishes and cups came from Ikea and yes, they're real!  

I was pretty proud of myself for breakin' out the 'ol sewing machine today.  It took me one placemat to get back into the sewing swing, but I know Avery won't care about a few crooked stitches :)

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These are just a few pictures from 2011 that highlighted the year for my family...

2011 was a decent year, not exactly ending on the best note, but that's why I'm so excited for 2012.  A fresh start is what we need and a fresh start is what we're gonna get!  BTW, fresh is my word for this year (more on that later :) so you'll be hearing it quite often.

Here are my 2012 resolutions:
1.  Finish my projects from last year before starting new ones ;)
2.  Make time for more date nights with my hubby...at least once every couple of months, anyway!
3.  Travel a little more...far or near, just getting away a little more often.
4.  Use more of what I have on hand and upcycle more items from around the house...I'm sure Pinterest will be able to help me accomplish this one!
5.  Try some new recipes and cook a little more...this might be my hardest resolution :0)
6.  Learn to sew again...yes, again!
7.  Buy a new camera...I can't wait to accomplish this one!
8.  Stop being so hard on myself for not getting everything accomplished.
9.  Save more and spend less.
10.  Get more blog followers ;)

Sounds like a lot I know, but I have all year so I'm not worried :)  I'd love to hear what some of your resolutions are, so leave me a comment!

2012 here we go!

high res

I usually have one or two resolutions for the new year, but this year I have quite a few more.  This year I'm kicking the resolutions into high gear!  More on that later, until then...

Happy New Year to everyone!

What are some of your resolutions?